Win Free Money: Enter These Contests for $61,750 in Cold, Hard Cash

Everyone loves a good travel contest or two. But what’s even better than winning a dream vacation? Winning cold, hard cash.

Instead of coordinating with your honey to head to the Bahamas, squeezing a trip to Oregon into your already-packed schedule, or trying to mobilize the whole family to take advantage of the getaway you won, these contests simply reward you with cash.

Plus, as some have pointed out, when you win a trip, you’ll often need to pay taxes associated with your win. But when the prize is a check, you can easily cover those taxes before spending the rest on anything you please. And for those of you north of the border, some of these contests are open to Canadians.

Try your luck at winning some cash this summer through these contests.

1. Xome Home Remodel Sweepstakes

It might be called the “Xome Home Remodel Sweepstakes,” but you can use this prize any way you like — it’s a check for $25,000. What would you do with that money? Pay off your bills? Buy a new car? Go on an epic vacation?

Between now and July 31, you can enter Xome’s $25,000 giveaway sweepstakes once a day if you’re a U.S. legal resident aged 18 or older. To enter, just create a free Xome account. You can also earn two bonus entries per day by sharing the sweepstakes via Twitter, Pinterest or Google Plus, or downloading the real-estate-focused free Xome app (the link to download the app is on the entry form).

2. O’Reilly Auto Parts $10,000 Payment Payoff

The contest runs through August 25 and you can enter up to twice a day. Each day, you can earn up to six bonus entries by sharing the contest via Facebook or Twitter, referring friends or naming your favorite O’Reilly Auto Parts location.

You must be a legal resident of the U.S. (sorry, void in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) aged 18 or older. To play, pick up a game card at an O’Reilly Auto Parts store and use the code online to submit a registration form. Or, if you don’t want to get a code, you can enter by mail.

3. $5,000 Champion King of the Road

U.S. and Canadian residents aged 16 or older (except Quebec residents) can enter this contest for cash prizes. Enter by July 20 (one entry per person) for a shot at the $5,000 grand prize or one of 10 weekly $500 prizes. One hundred other winners will also receive a “prize pack” with a hat, T-shirt and decals.

To enter, you’ll need to take a photo of your ride and include a caption describing “why your vehicle is the King of the Road.” The public will vote on the photos and whoever gets the most support will receive the grand prize. Your vehicle must be “street legal” and only the owner can upload images of their vehicle (but no people can be in the photo — more details here).

4. $10,000 Kikkoman Asian Cool Contest

Enter to win a $10,000 grand prize from Kikkoman. You could also take home one of more than 1,000 “instant win” prizes, including silicone brushes, aprons, cookbooks and more.

This contest is open to U.S. and Canadian citizens (except for Quebec residents) aged 18 and older. You can enter once per day through November 27, so the sooner you start entering, the better.

5. $10,000 Michael’s Summer Sweepstakes

Enter your photo in their Summer Sweepstakes in categories like Summer Fun, Beach/Lake, Fair, Main Street, Art/Music Festival or Flea Market for a chance at winning weekly $100 gift card prizes or the grand $10,000 cash prize (in the form of a Visa gift card).

Continental U.S. and Canadian residents (sorry, no Quebec residents) aged 18 or older are eligible to compete, and the contest ends August 1. Choose your photo carefully — you can only enter once. Your photos won’t be judged — winners will be selected randomly. Complete rules here.

6. $1,750 Back to Nature Sweepstakes

Enter the Back to Nature Sweepstakes for a chance at a $1,000 cash prize, plus a year’s supply of snacks. First place winners receive $250 checks plus snacks.

To enter, you must be a U.S. resident aged 13 or older. Go to Back to Nature’s website or Facebook page, click on the entry form and enter up to once per day, per device between now and September 18. You even get a $1 off coupon for Back to Nature products for entering.

Good luck, Penny Hoarders!

Your Turn: Have you found any great summer contests for cash prizes? Share them in the comments!

Kristen Pope is a freelance writer and editor in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

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